What To Do on a Layover in Istanbul

How to Spend a Layover in Istanbul ?

***Read this blog post to find out how you can spend your layover time in Istanbul.

Since every airport is different, it is not easy to tell when your layover is short or long enough. If the layover is of only a few hours, it is bearable. But if your next flight is more than three hours away, waiting at the airport can be utterly boring.If this is the kind of scenario you face on a lay over in Istanbul, don’t worry then! Istanbul Layover Tours is here and we have assembled some fun and exciting things you can do to make the most of your time there.

1. Go Shopping at the Grand Bazaar

It’s hard to fathom that you visit a foreign country/city and not buy a few souvenirs. Shopping in a foreign city gives you an opportunity to collect memorable items. When you are on transit tour through Istanbul before catching your connecting flight, make sure that you visit the Grand Bazaar. As the name suggests, it literally is grand!The bazaar is one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, and it is full of some amazing Turkish goods. It features maze-like streets that are lined with a variety of stalls. You can find everything from handcrafts to antiques to jewelry and lots more!

2. Visit the Blue Mosque

During your short tour of Istanbul, don’t forget to make a visit to the Blue Mosque. Also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the Blue Mosque is the most impressive mosque in entire Turkey. The majestic walls of the mosque are beautifully adorned with breathtaking blue tiles. Trust us, it is worth a visit!Despite its magnificent beauty, the mosque is closed to visitors during prayer times and Friday morning due to Friday Service. So we will make sure that your express stopover tour doesn’t clash with the prayer timings.

3. Spend Some Time in the Hagia Sophia

One of the greatest landmarks in Istanbul, Hagia Sophia once used to be a church. But when Mehmed II ascended the throne in 1451 and captured Constantinople, Roman City in 1453, he turned the church into a mosque. Now, the supremely stunning place has been converted into a splendid museum.Often called as the eighth wonder of the world, Hagia Sophia showcases the finest art pieces of Byzantine and Ottoman Empire. You can make your short tour quite knowledgeable by visiting the Hagia Sophia.

4. Explore the Spice Bazaar

For all grocery shoppers and food lovers, the spice bazaar is definitely a must visit during a layover in Istanbul. Here you can find all kinds of fresh produces ranging from local spices, cheeses, teas, dry fruits, Turkish delights, and many more.If you are craving for some real Turkish food, stop by Galata Bridge and enjoy the most popular local food fish sandwich ever!

Istanbul Layover Tours provides amazing layover services. Book with us during your Istanbul layover, and avail the chance to check out Turkey’s greatest monuments, cultural centers, tourist attractions, and historical landmarks just in few hours.